CCTV inside an art gallery was turned off when a brazen thief stole a Salvador Dali etching valued at $20,000 in 32 seconds by simply walking out with it.
However, he was caught on camera by a neighboring business on Sunday afternoon, as he took it from the Dennis Rae Fine Art in San Francisco.
The etching, called ‘Surrealistic Bullfight: Burning Giraffe’, is a 20-inch by 26-inch hand-colored, limited-edition surrealist work which was created between 1966 and 1967.
The theft occurred as Rasjad Hopkins, gallery director, was working alone and may have turned his back from the front of the store, where the piece was displayed on an easel facing the window.
‘He was in and out of there in a shot. He probably did it in less than a minute,’ Hopkins said Monday.
A man took the $20,000 Salvador Dali ‘Burning Giraffe’ piece from Dennis Rae Fine Art
The 1960s hand-colored, limited-edition surrealist work, was stolen on Sunday afternoon
It’s unclear why the California gallery’ video camera wasn’t on at the time of the 4.30pm incident. DailyMail.com reached out to the gallery for comment.
Surveillance video from the Handlery Hotel showed the man strolling down Geary Street with the artwork in his hand, KGO-TV reported.
It’s reported a woman who was standing outside may have been been his accomplice.
‘They just popped into the gallery, probably distracting one of my coworkers,’ said Angela Kellett, also a Gallery Director. ‘It was our showcase item. We have a special Salvador Dali show right now and yeah they just ran off with it, too quick for anyone to do anything about it.’
The etching normally was secured with a tether, but it wasn’t at the time of the theft, Hopkins said.
KGO-TV said the etching would have been secured with a lock and cable that are missing and may have been cut off by the crook. But Hopkins said he doubted that.
He suggested the tether might have been removed a day earlier for a showing and not replaced.
Gallery says it was taken in 32 seconds, from an easel facing the front window of the store
The etching is normally secured with a tether, but wasn’t at the time of the theft
Interior video camera wasn’t on at the time but the thief was seen on a nearby hotel’s surveillance camera with a female accomplice who waited outside
Although art thieves sometimes have clients who pay for certain pieces, ‘I think it was a theft of opportunity,’ Hopkins said.
The etching was insured, he said. It was one of about 30 pieces on display for the gallery’s ongoing Dali exhibition.
Hopkins said the etching is relatively rare. ‘I’d say it’s one of the most desirable pieces out of that period,’ he added.
It is very well-known and is also numbered, Hopkins said.
That made it unlikely to be sold online, Kellett, told KGO-TV.
‘It’s quite important as far as the period of etchings,’ said Kellett. ‘It’s very, very well known. It’s a beautiful piece. It was inspired by Picasso first.
‘I think that people would know. It’s a very small edition of etchings, so the number, we know exactly what piece it is, so now it’s a very hot item.’
Anyone with information on the theft can contact police at 1-415-575-4444 or text TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
‘They just popped into the gallery, probably distracting one of my coworkers,’ said Angela Kellett, a Gallery Director
The thief was seen walking down Geary Street with the artwork after the incident thanks to video from the Handlery Hotel
Anyone with information on the man in a blue t-shirt and cap can contact the police at 1-415-575-4444 or text TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD